Forestry Services Dept. generates GH¢28m internally last year
The Forestry Services Division (FSD) raked in GH¢28 million internally, says Mr Michael Paintsil, the Operations Manager of the Division.
The figure comprises stampage, plantation sales donor inflows, confiscated lumber and rent, Mr Paintsil said during interaction with members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry at Bechem in the Tano South District of Brong-Ahafo Region.
Led by its Chairman, Alhaji Amadu Seidu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Yapei Kusawgu, the committee was on a day’s visit, and inspected the Bosomkese and Aparapi forest reserves at Bechem.
Wild fire swept through the two national reserves and destroyed a number of tree species early this year.
Mr Paintsil expressed concern about inadequate funds for the maintenance of almost all the forest reserves in the country, saying in 2015, the division received only GH¢1.7 million from the government.
The budget for the year was GH¢13 million.
Mr Painstil observed that because of inadequate funds, the division could not undertake regular patrols, monitoring and assessment at the various reserves, a situation that is impeding efforts to control illegal logging and annual busfires.
Reacting to the concerns, Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, a ranking member of the committee, and MP for Atwima Nkwabiagya, asked the division to take advantage and make effective use of ICT.
He said drowning technology – use of drown cameras, is a recommendable and best method to monitor and assess the state of the national forest reserves.
Mr Owusu-Bio expressed worry about that successive government showed little concern on forest resources and management, and called on the government to pay particular attention to protecting the forest.
He said if properly resource and managed, the forest sector alone could fetched Ghana more than GH¢10 billion annually.
Mr Thomas Okyere, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Manager of the FSD, expressed discomfort that forest offences are always considered minor offences.
He said the country could make a headway in the forestry sector, if forest offenders are regarded serious offences and harsher punishment are meted on illegal loggers, and fire setters to serve as deterrent to like-minded people.
Mr Henry Kwadwo Kokofu, the MP for Bantama, expressed unhappiness that annual bushfires remain serious threat to forest sustenance and food security.
He said a national policy direction is required to tackle bush and wild fires, and asked forest fringe communities to support in the preservation of the especially forest reserves.
Source: GNA